With a constantly changing social, political and entertainment landscape, WWE has sometimes come under fire for stereotypical portrayals of minorities in wrestling,
When speaking to CBS Sports recently, former WWE Champion and perennial main eventer Roman Reigns took exception to the idea that WWE holds down minorities in wrestling. Beyond that, Roman Reigns points to himself as an example of that exception.
"I think I’m a great example of that. I’m a multi-racial man. I don’t think it has anything to do with your color or your background. It’s the man that you are and what you stand for, and obviously the performer that you are. That’s one thing that Vince [McMahon] deeply wants to be embedded in his guys, in his superstars, that they’re good people. That’s one thing he’s always told me from the beginning is, “I don’t care if you’re the greatest wrestler in the world. I don’t care if you’re the most charismatic talker in the world, but I do care if you’re a good person and I think that’s all that matters.” When it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter what you look like, how big you are, what color your skin is or hair or eyes, if you’re a good person, you’re a good person," said Reigns.
As far as Reigns' influences, he was quick to point out his father Sika of The Wild Samoans.
"I would have to say my father. He’s not an African American man, but he is a man of color. He had a lot of experience with some of the pioneers for African American wrestlers, guys like Junkyard Dog. He wasn’t a full-time wrestler, but he brought so much publicity. And how can you not bring up Mr. T, guys like that? But also within our family tree, Rocky Johnson, the Rock’s father. There’s a lot of pride and a lot of great representation for African Americans in this month," Reigns said.
You can see the full interview at this link, where Reigns also talked about the end of WWE's co-branded pay-per-views.
